ANTI-STAB vests are being issued to security guards at a Liverpool hospital to protect them from violent patients and unruly visitors.

ANTI-STAB vests are being issued to security guards at a Liverpool hospital to protect them from violent patients and unruly visitors.

The vests, capable of protecting against needles and small knives, will be available to security staff at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Trust.

Bosses have ordered four jackets, which will not be worn all the time, but will be available if a threatening or dangerous incident occurs.

The decision to introduce safety vests was prompted by a major review of security by the hospital's patients' forum.

As well as protective clothing, they suggested attendance pay be offered to security guards to reduce staff shortages or unnecessary sickness.

They also want more CCTV cameras introduced across both hospitals. Although more than 14 new CCTV cameras have recently been installed at

Broadgreen Hospital, hospital bosses said they cannot afford pay allowances or more CCTV cameras for the Royal.

But they agreed to appoint a dedicated trainer to teach all staff control and restraint when dealing with aggressive patients and visitors.

Doreen Schlechte, chair of the Patients' Forum, today said: "There have been occasions in the past in A&E when security staff have felt in danger.

"We do not want to see them wearing the jackets all the time, but in exceptional cases they should be available to staff working in high risk areas.

"Ideally, we would like to see more CCTV cameras, especially in lifts, and allowances to reward conscientious employees and stop any non-essential absence.

"But we understand there is a cost issue and believe the trust is doing all it can in respect of security."

Last year there were 18 incidents where staff or patients were assaulted or suffered actual bodily harm, 55 cases of criminal damage to property or vehicles, 52 thefts and burglaries, 61 car thefts and 15 other crimes between both hospitals.

There were also almost 200 cases of trespass and more than 1,000 disturbances at both sites.

A spokesman for the Royal Liverpool University and Broadgreen Hospital Trust today said: "Four lightweight protective jackets, designed to withhold needle and small knife stab wounds are to be held at the hospitals.

"They will only be used by our security personnel if they feel threatened if an incident develops.

"But it is important to note that our security guards do not get involved in serious confrontations, if a major incident occurs we will also ask the police to assist.

"We are very concerned for the safety, not only of our staff, but also patients and visitors that attend both hospitals.

"We are taking sufficient measures to ensure we maintain a high security profile for everyone's safety."